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NET Intake below 1200 I'm full. Do I eat more anyways?

iwanttheburn
iwanttheburn Posts: 7
edited January 5 in Food and Nutrition
So, my NET intake today is 1031.

I usually eat a snack after dinner, which would put me at a NET of 1200.

But I'm just really full right now...Should I make myself eat or just listen to my body and not eat anything?

Replies

  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    It really depends on how big of a deficit you already have, how far under 1200 you are, if it's a one-off or a regular thing, how much weight you have to lose, and the quality of nutrition you already have. Impossible to say without specifics. If it's a one-off I wouldn't worry about it. If it's a regular thing, you might want to consider that the bigger the deficit, the more lean body mass you'll dip in to to make up for it- it may not be in your best interest to do it often.
  • Nerdy_Rose
    Nerdy_Rose Posts: 1,277 Member
    So... you are netting 1031. What's your *total* calorie intake?
  • iwanttheburn
    iwanttheburn Posts: 7
    My total calorie intake is 1570.

    I think my body may be trained to eat less than what it needs though. For a long time I was eating at least 1200 with lots of vigorous exercise (so I should have been eating more than 1200.) I lost my period for a very long time (They're always light to begin with too.) After gorging myself over Thanksgiving it came back and was actually light-normal for the first time in like a year..so I think I should maybe start stretching my stomach a little bit?



    I think I may eat something. I'm feeling a little less full..
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Sounds like you could benefit from eating a bit more and you're on the right track by giving it a try. I would actually suggest giving yourself a 10-14 day diet break by eating at maintenance, but def. meeting your minimum calories is a good first step.
  • iwanttheburn
    iwanttheburn Posts: 7
    1-2 weeks before Thanksgiving I was eating at a maintaining level and I wasn't exercising very much, so I think I've done a little bit of that. o:

    I'm trying to lose weight/build muscle right now but I want to do it properly and I'd really like to get my periods back. -_- Thanks for the advice. :)
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    Since you have had the issues you mentioned (re: no periods) for a year...I think you should def eat a min of 1200. A minimum. If you took a diet break for a few weeks before Thanksgiving and then had lots of good food on Thanksgiving and, magically, your periods returned after being missing for a year....I think that it's pretty obvious your body is telling you you need more food than what you have been giving it.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    Oh....and you are definitely NOT going to gain any muscle netting 1000 cals.
  • ExplorinLauren
    ExplorinLauren Posts: 991 Member
    Agreed, and agreed. ^^^^^^
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    It really depends on how big of a deficit you already have, how far under 1200 you are, if it's a one-off or a regular thing, how much weight you have to lose, and the quality of nutrition you already have. Impossible to say without specifics. If it's a one-off I wouldn't worry about it. If it's a regular thing, you might want to consider that the bigger the deficit, the more lean body mass you'll dip in to to make up for it- it may not be in your best interest to do it often.

    ^
    Well said. Also, you might try eating a little bit more, or at least more calorie-dense foods, earlier in your day if you know you'll be doing a hard workout and burning lots of calories. And maybe try adding a little bit at a time--an extra 25 or 50 calories per day, til you reach that net of 1200.

    Good luck :)
  • katieginger
    katieginger Posts: 9
    I'm having the same problem, I've had no period for almost a year and after eating tons around thanksgiving I got it again briefly. I don't think I realized how few calories I was eating before MFP. I almost managed to net 1200 today but I felt like I had to eat SO MUCH, and I just wasn't that hungry. It's difficult when you get a lot of exercise, because you really are eating a lot - I always eat more than 1200 but I very rarely manage to net that much. I'm trying to add in a few more calorie dense foods at each meal, that way I can pack in some additional calories without feeling stuffed.
  • iwanttheburn
    iwanttheburn Posts: 7
    Yay! Someone else is in the same boat as me. :)

    It is sooo hard. I eat clean so calorie dense foods are my life savers. I also didn't realize how little I was eating until MFP either. It surprised me so much. O:


    I'm so happy with myself. I just got myself to eat my after dinner snack and a tablespoon of peanut butter. :)
    My net is now 1312! Thank the Lord. x)

    Thank you all for the advice. <3
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